FRISCO, Texas — There is plenty that needs to improve for the Dallas Cowboys to try and right the ship coming out of their bye week, and one of those things involves the health of the roster, as Micah Parsons can attest. The All-Pro pass rusher is one of several currently working his way back to the field in Week 8 and beyond, having his eye on the San Francisco 49ers.
But, as it stands, and though he can, stand, it's undetermined if Parsons is physically able to run, jump and cut to the point he'd be cleared for the trip to Santa Clara in Week 8.
"It's still in the air, obviously," he said on Monday. "It's more than just me. I got to clear with [Cowboys' trainer Britt Brown], the coaches, and the head coach. They want to make sure, because there's so many more games left, that I come back at the best result. So, sometimes it's not always the players.
"It was more the people in the higher pay grade."
Parsons admitted he was not close to playing against the Detroit Lions after having missed the battle against the Pittsburgh Steelers with the injury. But with added time to rest during the bye, time he used to continue his rehab at the team's headquarters in North Dallas, there has been progress toward his eventual return.
"I don't think there's anything I can't do physically," said the three-time Pro Bowler. "Like I said, it's just more they want to make sure I'm at my best and they kind of know what my best looks like, and so it's just one thing that just got to keep working and showing it. They're monitoring the situation."
That they are, as head coach Mike McCarthy also pointed out.
"He's doing good," McCarthy said. "He was in here every day. Micah is making progress."
That is at least positive news on and from the generational pass rusher, as the Cowboys' defense is also without DeMarcus Lawrence (injured reserve) and Eric Kendricks (sidelined in Week 7 with calf and shoulder injury), hoping to see the return of All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland as early as this coming Sunday.
Parsons is doing his best to get back onto the field, but the Cowboys also won't force the issue with 11 games remaining on their regular season schedule.
